Prsopect of the Month (February): John “Scrappy” Ramirez
26-year-old John "Scrappy" Ramirez, of Los Angeles, burst onto the scene in late 2021 on a Gilberto Ramirez card in San Antonio. Ramirez captured the attention of the boxing world, by taking a part and dominating in stopping an outmatched Miguel Angel Rebullosa. It was the skills blended with power plus his trash talk and ring persona. That garnered attention. After stopping the 4-12 fighter, he was back in the ring in March and calling out WBA champ Joshua Franco. It was laughable at the moment, but Scrappy kept running his mouth and kept dominating. He throw a 60-54x3 shootout that night on the grounds of USC. Two months later scored a first-round knockout and then got his 2023 off to a sensational start. Ramirez moved his record to a perfect 11-0 (8) established himself as a legitimate title contender, and takes home our Prospect of the Month Award.
Headlining his first major card just a few hours from his home, Scrappy likely gave his best performance yet at the Fantasy Springs in Indio, California. Taking a lopsided decision over an outgunned Luis Padilla of Jalisco, Mexico. Ramirez displayed lightning-quick reflexes, sharp counter-punching, and pinpoint accurate leads. All the while firing off unique combinations on his way to rolling to a lopsided points victory by scores of 100-92 and 99-91x2 improving his record to a perfect 11-0 (8) Scrappy, a fun-loving underdog, who loves to talk, is now on his way to a world title opportunity in the near future.
Ramirez originally called out Josh Franco because both men were promoted by Golden Boy and the fight was makeable. Something Ramirez wasn't ready for at the time but could likely get when the time is right. The time is nearing and Rammirez is close to a title fight. However, franco and his WBA belt and likely the WBO belt he will pick up when he sets the record straight with Ioka in Japan are no longer with Golden Boy. Franco is a promotional free agent which means the fight isn't off the table it is just a bit more complicated and Franco will have a ton of options. In the interim Ramirez will have to look for another fight while he awaits the verdict of Frnco-Ioka fortunately, there are some attractive options for Scrappy. A short list includes Carlos Cuadras, Jade Bornea, and Israel Gonzalez would all make an intriguing step-up fight for Scrappy and be a better gauge as to whether or not Scrappy is ready for a world title fight.
